Fix Acrobat Errors When Combining TIFF Files to OCR PDF
Question details
The user needs to resolve errors encountered in Adobe Acrobat DC when trying to combine multiple large TIFF files into a single OCR-enabled PDF.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- macOS 10.15.1
- Scenario
- Combining multiple large TIFF images into a searchable PDF document.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat displays 'There were errors encountered while combining files' or 'Error during processing. File skipped', frequently failing to process large scans.
Before proceeding, check the total file size of your TIFF images, as extremely large, uncompressed high-resolution scans can overwhelm PDF compilers and trigger unexpected crashes.
Move Files to a Local Drive and Update Acrobat
Network lag or connection drops can cause Acrobat to fail when processing large files from a shared drive. Running the latest software version also ensures recent bug fixes are applied.
Processing heavy graphic files over a network connection often results in skipped files due to latency. Bringing the files local and updating the application is the standard baseline fix for this error.
Copy the TIFF files from the shared network drive to a local folder on your Mac's hard drive, such as the Desktop.
Open Adobe Acrobat DC, navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates'.
Follow the on-screen prompts to download and install the latest available version (e.g., 19.21.20049 or newer).
Use the 'Combine Files' tool again, selecting the TIFF files you just placed on your local drive.
Process Smaller Batches of TIFF Files
Acrobat may run out of memory or time out when trying to combine and run OCR on a massive batch of high-resolution TIFF scans simultaneously.
Reinstall Acrobat to Resolve macOS Compatibility Bugs
Certain macOS updates, such as 10.15.1, can introduce system-level compatibility bugs with Acrobat's processing engine that require a clean software installation.
Combine Images into OCR PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
Avoid frustrating crashes and skipped files when working with heavy image documents. WPS Office features robust built-in PDF tools that easily convert and combine large image formats like TIFF into perfectly formatted, searchable PDFs without freezing your system.
- 1. Open PDF Tools: Launch WPS Office and navigate to the 'PDF' tab on the home screen.
- 2. Select Picture to PDF: Click on 'Picture to PDF' located in the Tools menu or quick access toolbar.
- 3. Add TIFF files: Import your TIFF files from your local drive and arrange them in your preferred sequence.
- 4. Convert to PDF: Click the 'Convert' button to merge the images smoothly into a single PDF document.
- 5. Apply OCR: Open the newly created PDF and click the 'OCR' button to recognize and make the text fully searchable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat skip files during the combination process?
Acrobat often skips files if they are corrupted, if the file size exceeds the application's allocated system memory, or if network connectivity drops for a moment when accessing files from a shared network drive.
Can a macOS update cause Acrobat to crash when combining files?
Yes. Major macOS updates often introduce new file permission protocols and system architecture changes that can temporarily conflict with Acrobat's processing tasks until Adobe releases a patch.
Is there a file size limit for combining files into a PDF in Acrobat?
While Acrobat doesn't explicitly limit the number of files, the practical limit is dictated by your computer's available RAM and processing power. Combining gigabytes of high-resolution TIFFs is highly likely to trigger timeout errors.
Does converting TIFF files to an intermediate format prevent Acrobat errors?
Yes. TIFFs are usually uncompressed and heavy. Using an image editor or a batch converter to change your TIFF files into high-quality JPEGs or PNGs before combining them can drastically reduce the processing load and prevent Acrobat errors.
